3023 former LTTErs released Wednesday, 22 September 2010 02:42

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3023 former LTTErs released
Wednesday, 22 September 2010 02:42
By Sandun A. Jayasekera
A total of 3023 former LTTE combatants had been released from August 2009 to date following a three pronged approach of rehabilitating, prosecuting or releasing, said Prison Reforms and Rehabilitation Minister D.E.W.Gunasekara.
Those released comprised university students, children, sick and disabled cadres,court ordered releases, expectant mothers with infants and youths with minor involvement with the LTTE, said Mr. Gunasekara.
“They have been released for further education and re-unification with their families. As at 30 June this year, 8,057 beneficiaries were being accommodated in 12 accommodation and rehabilitation centres,” he said.
Mr. Gunasekara said the Sri Lankan Government had launched a five year strategy extending from 2008 to 2012 to disarm, demobilize and rehabilitate misguided personnel and successfully integrate them into their families and communities as individuals with a positive attitude.
With 11,698 ex-combatants identified and earmarked for rehabilitation, the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation (BCGR) had dedicated itself to its mission to transform them into useful members of society through rehabilitation, he said.Mr. Gunasekara said the BCGR had to deal with a mixed gender population of 11,698 which included 594 children. Many of the children had been conscripted as child soldiers.